JOSEPH INGUIMBERTY | Rural landscape

Private Asian Collection

This work is in good overall condition as viewed. There is evidence of craquelure to the pigment, but this is consistent with the age of the work. There are some small, minor accretions to the work, but these are easily removable through a light, professional cleaning. Examination under ultraviolet light reveals some areas of restoration at the sky. Framed.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Heralded for his endless contributions to Vietnam’s modern art movement, Joseph Inguimberty’s varied legacy took the form of both student and teacher, as he taught at the esteemed École des beaux-arts de l'Indochine in Hanoi, while simultaneously dedicating himself to the tireless inquisition into the minutiae of Vietnamese life. Born in Marseille, France in 1896, Inguimberty’s visual language was a diverse culmination of cultures and perspectives, where he looked to portray the tranquil terrains and locale of Vietnam through notions of Western oil painting techniques. As a firm believer in the importance of individual cultures, Inguimberty taught his students to adopt Western painting styles while preserving their national character and perspective; his influence to Vietnam’s artistic development can be seen most clearly in the number of celebrated artists under his prominent tutelage: Mai Trung Thu, Le Pho, Vu Cao Dam, and Nguyen Gia Tri. A testament to his sensitivity towards the pastoral minutiae of Vietnamese life, Inguimberty’s vast oeuvre can be characterized by forms of Western romanticism, where his attentive brush strokes delineate the lush vegetation and serene atmosphere of the tropics.             Poetic and peaceful, Rural Landscape is a luminous piece that captures beautifully the daily lives of the humble Vietnamese locale. As an introspective onlooker, Inguimberty spent the most of his days immersed in the idyllic landscapes of the country side, where he could cycle around local villages to paint famers, laborers and fishermen. This present lot is an exquisite representation of the farmers’ everyday routines, as Inguimberty illustrates them walking through the crop fields, while balancing their bountiful harvests precariously on their backs. This vivid evocation of the alluring spirit of Vietnam in this work is enhanced by Inguimberty’s expressive visual palette, as his favored tones of earthy browns, pastel blues and verdant greens distill the essential qualities of the elements. Inguimberty’s doting fondness for Vietnam and its people is brought to light here - thick, vibrant layers of paint radiate throughout the landscape, imbuing the terrain with a lively robustness and vitality. Dapples of sunlight seem to dance across the vegetation through Inguimberty’s light touch and delicate brushwork, which diffuse the piece with a lucidly radiant splendor. A work of timeless repose, Rural Landscape serves as an elegant homage to Vietnamese traditions, as Inguimberty invites us to view the Vietnamese country side and people through the lens of his inexhaustible and romantic gaze.